Wait-listed passengers to get confirmed train berths under 'Vikalp'

New Delhi: Railway is launching a new scheme named ‘Vikalp' on Sunday under which wait-listed passengers can get confirmed accommodation in next alternative train if they opt for the option while booking their tickets online.The

New Delhi:Railway is launching a new scheme named ‘Vikalp' on Sunday under which wait-listed passengers can get confirmed accommodation in next alternative train if they opt for the option while booking their tickets online.

The alternative train accommodation scheme will take off on a pilot basis in trains running on Delhi-Lucknow and Delhi-Jammu sectors from November 1.

Initially, Vikalp scheme will be available only for the tickets booked through internet for six months and option will be limited to mail and express trains on the two selected routes, said a senior railway ministry official.

As per the scheme, wait-listed passengers of a train would be given the option of getting confirmed accommodation in the next train running on the route.

Railway aims to achieve the twin objectives of providing confirmed accommodation to wait-listed passengers and ensure optimal utilisation of available accommodation by this scheme.

While there is a huge demand for train berths in certain sectors round the year, some routes witness increased rush during the festive season.

Describing the scheme as a “passenger friendly” move, an official said it will be extended to reservation booking counters and also on other routes after getting the feedback.

A passenger, if he/she opts for the Vikalp scheme while booking tickets online, will get an SMS alert on mobile phone about getting confirmed accommodation in the alternative train.

As per the scheme, there would be no extra charges taken from the passenger or any refund provided for the difference of fare.

The name of passenger who has been provided accommodation in the alternative train will not figure in the wait-listed charts of the original train, the official said, adding a separate list of passengers transferred in the alternative train will be pasted along with the confirmed and wait-list charts.